A group of 21 Brigham Young University biology students and two professors recently attended a conference for the International Society for Range Management in Vancouver, British Columbia, Feb. 12-17, and returned with several awards from various competitions.
The conference allowed students involved with the management and conservation of rangelands to present research and participate in competitions against other schools from the United States, Mexico and Canada.
BYU students took top honors in competitions such as the plant identification contest, the range management exam and the public speaking competition. Many of the winners received cash awards as well as trips to different parts of the country, and one student earned the National Masonic Range Scholarship for $8,500.
Competitions featured difficult tasks such as identifying the Latin name, origin and life cycle of a plant after viewing only its seed or leaf.
“The biggest benefit for students at the conference is connecting and being recognized by professionals who will give them jobs,” said Val Anderson, a BYU professor of integrative biology. “We are probably one of the most recognized natural resource schools in the west and professionals seek out our students.”
For more information, contact Val Anderson at (801) 422-3527.
Writer: Brian Rust
